How do you begin? In many cases, friends and family will warn you not to try to reach your dream because it is, after all, just a dream. It’s vital to recognize that you must follow your heart, listen to the inner voice that calls to you because no one else can walk your path but you. And no one else will live your life but you. Seek what will make you happy and recognize that others have faced hardships too.

Walk Disney went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland and was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Henry Ford failed and went broke 5 times before he finally succeeded. After realizing what he and Henry Ford went through in order to achieve their dreams you begin to realize successful dream achievement is as much about persistence and determination as it is talent.

What dreams have you not realized? How many times have you tried for their achievement? What past successes made you glow with pride? What moments, big and small, make you smile even now after so many years? It isn’t the specific activity or skill that is important here. It is how you felt after having achieved whatever you were striving for. The confidence you felt then can be recreated, leveraged to apply to new areas where you want to succeed now.

We all have times when we want accomplish a goal, but can’t get motivated. This procrastination and inaction limits us from doing the things that offer us the greatest rewards. Begin today by embracing any one of the following ten ways to inspire yourself to action. You will notice more fulfillment in your life immediately.

The question, What inspires me today? is an important one to ask. During your day, it’s helpful to understand what motivates you and what stops you from moving forward. The path toward achieving your dreams begins with taking a step. This is the most difficult time for many people. There will be moments when you want to give up; times when it feels like your dream will never become reality. Move forward with inspired action and a deeper, more enduring change occurs that can last a lifetime.

Jacob Rios said, “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet, at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two; and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

A client was looking for a career coach. Find one that can inspire yourself to action she thought. On the next coaching session, here are  10 ways to inspire yourself to action that we came up with:

1. Value

See value in what you do. What is the value in doing this activity?

2. Visualization

See yourself doing an activity and the accomplished result in all its glory and excitement. Create a fantasy in your mind of actually enjoying the activity.

3. Inspiration

Find inspirational quotes. Seek people who validate the activity.

4. Rewards

Create rewards for yourself. Ask yourself, What rewards would give me a reason to complete this activity? Be able to see the rewards in the outcome you desire. For example, if I were speaking to an audience, I’d see them applauding after the talk is finished.

5. Benefits

Stop and visualize the benefits of the process.

6. Future

How will doing this activity benefit the future you want to create?

7. Partnership

Do this activity with others who are in the same situation. They will provide the structure, support and accountability for its completion.

8. Support

Choose people who will support you in realizing your dream. Select only those who believe in you and will help you stay focused on the overall benefits.

9. Baby steps

Start with an activity you can accomplish. This success lessens the fear of failure and creates a small, but powerful wave of energy toward your ultimate goal.

10. Letting go

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and none seemed to get you motivated to action, then stop. Understand that your energy must be needed elsewhere and there’s obviously a good reason you don’t want to start this activity. It will wait until you are ready to tackle it. Do not let negativity overwhelm you. Remove it from your mind. Let it go!

It takes courage to embark on this journey. But you don’t need to go it alone. If you’re looking for a career coach, find one to help lead the way.